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1500 questions
21
votes
3 answers
How is DIY done so much on 'fixer uppers' in areas where AHJs demand permits and licenses?
I see a lot of cases of major 'fixer upper' homes or general home improvement done in an area where the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requires permits and only offers them to licensed pros. How is this the case? I ask because I wonder if I'm…
cr0
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21
votes
5 answers
What is the proper, safe, and effective way to apply diatomaceous earth?
We are looking at using diatomaceous earth against bed bugs.
However, we're having trouble finding any reliable information on how to use it properly.
Our questions are:
how should it be applied?
is it effective against bed bugs? How long does it…
Matt Fenwick
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21
votes
12 answers
How can I repair a puncture in a hollow-core wooden door?
Someone punched my wooden door. Now it has a giant dent in it.
The dent is similar to this one. Fortunately, it's a bit less severe than this. How can I "pop" the dent back out?
Shaun Wild
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21
votes
2 answers
Can I still be sold plumbing fixtures that contain lead?
I'm shopping for brass or stainless ball valve to replace shutoff on a plumbing line. I see on ebay that some valves are advertised as "lead-free" while others are not. I would've assumed ALL brass/SS valves are lead-free. If I'm concerned with…
codechimp
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21
votes
5 answers
Should my toilet flange sit on top of the backer board or the tile of the floor?
The bathroom model saga continues. The old toilet flange was rusting, and the subfloor was rotting, so I pulled up the subfloor around the toilet, and replaced the drain pipe with ABS, and an elbow. The plan is to tile this bathroom.
So my…
MarkD
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21
votes
4 answers
Disable the LG washer/dryer melody at end of the cycle?
Title is the question, the loud melody is obnoxious. This is a last ditch effort, the manual doesn't provide any information, surprisingly this fairly comprehensive machine doesn't seem to be designed to disable a sound? Is there a cord to cut or…
user289394
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20
votes
8 answers
Why would plastic anchors pull out of the wall?
What is going wrong? To install plastic anchors I was taught to drill a small hole (exact size of anchor or slightly smaller.... lightly tap in anchor until fully recessed and face is flush with drywall... screw the screw into anchor slowly so it…
tonyz
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20
votes
5 answers
How do I adjust a door so it doesn't swing on its own?
I have a normal door, and left to its own devices it will simply rest about 20-30 degrees. It won't swing shut on its own, nor stay open on its own. It hangs a bit in the middle. Convenient enough to catch you elbow when you're not looking.
I'd like…
Will Hartung
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20
votes
5 answers
How do I choose between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms?
I need to change my smoke detectors but I don't know how to choose between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms. I guess that there are pros and cons to choose one or the other. Should I buy a combination detector that uses both methods?
Alexandre Jobin
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20
votes
11 answers
How to cut drywall over stud?
Let's say I have a hole like this (not my actual hole just one that I found for my situation)
As you can see the existing drywall is flush with the 2x4. What I want to do is cleanly cut away enough of the existing drywall (about an inch) on both…
Dean MacGregor
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20
votes
3 answers
What is this bug and should I be concerned?
I see these guys crawling around. What are they and are they here to destroy my house and cost me money and waste my time?
Rollo R
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20
votes
17 answers
What is an affordable 2D drafting software for amateurs?
Background: We have about 1500 feet of unfinished basement that I am contemplating finishing off into a "grandma suite". Before getting serious about the project, however, I would like to play around with some layouts.
My first thought was to…
Portman
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20
votes
4 answers
Why are all towel bars 24 inch? With studs being 16 inches apart - how do people mount them?
I want to install a towel bar in my bathrooms - and I went to Home Depot to get one - but all of their towel bars were 24 inch...
This to me is weird.
Do all people just mount their towel bars to a drywall using drywall anchors? That just seems so…
Dannyboy
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20
votes
2 answers
Why won't a LED bulb work in a standard light fixture?
I have a wall fixture in my Brooklyn apartment's bathroom that is my only source of light. A sticker on the fixture says that it is Max 75W. The other day, the 14W / 60W equivalent CFL that was in it since I moved in burned out and I had to replace…
Colin
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20
votes
8 answers
What are the black spots on my bathroom ceiling? Are they mold?
My bathroom above my tub is getting some black spots on it that seems to be growing. I assume it's mold. I am wondering how should I deal with this? What should I expect it to cost?
Jon
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